Clasica San Sebastian 2023: Everything you need to know about the Basque classic
Thomas Huber
· 29.07.2023
For a one-day race, the course in the north of Spain leads over relatively hilly terrain. The race, which has been held since 1981, has seven categorised climbs this year. The winner of the race receives the region's typical txapela - a beret. The record winner of the Clasica San Sebastian with three victories is Marino Lejarreta, who won the first two editions in 1981 and 1982 and was also able to celebrate in 1987. The only German winner is Udo Bölts, who won the race in 1996.
Clasica San Sebastian 2023: The route
The Clasica San Sebastian is known for its hilly course. The climbs, some of which are 19% steep at the top, are predestined for particularly fit classic riders. From the start in San Sebastian, the route leads the riders on a loop in the south-west past the host city towards the east. This is followed by the Jaizkibel and Erlaitz climbs before crossing the Basque city once again. The two final climbs, Mendizorrotz and Murgil-Tontorra, then follow to the west before the city gates.
The last climb Murgil-Tontorra is likely to be particularly exciting, where a rider could break away shortly before the finish. Attacks by the riders can also be expected on the steep Erlaitz and Menizorrotz climbs.
Clasica San Sebastian - Start list - the favourites
Numerous stars of international cycling have once again announced their plans for 2023 - first and foremost Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quick Step). The world champion wants to defend his title in the Basque Country. He will have competition from Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers), Juan Ayuso, Marc Hirschi (both UAE Team Emirates) and Felix Gall (AG2R-Citroën Team), among others.
Clasica San Sebastian 2023: TV broadcast & live stream
The one-day race will be broadcast on German television on Saturday on Eurosport 1 to see. The broadcast starts at 3.00 pm. There is also a live stream on Discovery+ and GCN+ (both via paid subscription).
The schedule
- Neutralised start: 10.53 a.m.
- Finish: ~ 16.33 - 17.08
The climbs
- 26.8 km - Meaga - 3.5 km à 3.4%
- 59.5 km - Iturburu - 6.6 km à 5.3%
- 78.8 km - Akliza - 4.4 km à 6.2%
- 137 km - Jaizkibel - 7.9 km à 5.6%
- Km 157 - Erlaitz - 3,8 km à 10,6%
- 193.3 km - Mendizorrotz - 4.1 km à 7.3%
- 222.2 km - Murgil-Tontorra - 2.1 km à 10.1%
Clasica San Sebastian: The most important information at a glance
- Date: Saturday, 29 July 2023
- Distance: 230.3 kilometres
- Start: San Sebastian
- Target: San Sebastian
- Edition: 43.
- Premiere: 1981
- Record winner: Marino Lejarreta (Spain - three wins)
- Last year's winner: Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
All winners of the Clasica San Sebastian
- 1981 Marino Lejarreta (Spain)
- 1982 Marino Lejarreta (Spain)
- 1983 Claude Criquielion (Belgium)
- 1984 Niki Rüttimann (Switzerland)
- 1985 Adrie van der Poel (Netherlands)
- 1986 Inaki Gaston (Spain)
- 1987 Marino Lejarreta (Spain)
- 1988 Gert-Jan Theunisse (Netherlands)
- 1989 Gerhard Zadrobilek (Austria)
- 1990 Miguel Indurain (Spain)
- 1991 Gianni Bugno (Italy)
- 1992 Raúl Alcala (Mexico)
- 1993 Claudio Chiappucci (Italy)
- 1994 Armand de Las Cuevas (France)
- 1995 Lance Armstrong (USA)
- 1996 Udo Bölts (Germany)
- 1997 Davide Rebellin (Italy)
- 1998 Francesco Casagrande (Italy)
- 1999 Francesco Casagrande (Italy)
- 2000 Erik Dekker (Netherlands)
- 2001 Laurent Jalabert (France)
- 2002 Laurent Jalabert (France)
- 2003 Paolo Bettini (Italy)
- 2004 Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spain)
- 2005 Constantino Zaballa (Spain)
- 2006 Xavier Florencio (Spain)
- 2007 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Italy)
- 2008 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
- 2009 Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic)
- 2010 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain)
- 2011 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium)
- 2012 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain)
- 2013 Tony Gallopin (France)
- 2014 Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
- 2015 Adam Yates (Great Britain)
- 2016 Bauke Mollema (Netherlands)
- 2017 Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland)
- 2018 Julian Alaphilippe (France)
- 2019 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
- 2021 Neilson Powless (USA)
- 2022 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
